Career Advice

Three things your interviewer may be thinking

Are they who they say they are?

This may sound obvious, but some people do tell the odd porky on their CV. Always tell the truth, because you will be found out. Don’t exaggerate achievements or pretend that you have managed a large team when you have only had one direct report!

Will they fit in?

Some people like building teams with ‘disruptive’ characters who can challenge the status quo. Others recognise the value of employing people who can get on with the current team. There is no silver bullet, but the best approach is to be yourself rather than trying to be someone you’re not.

Are they up to the job?

Finally – and perhaps most obviously – the interviewer will want to know whether you’ve actually got the skills to do the job so highlight examples of how you have made a difference to your former employer. Also think about any reasons why the hiring manager may question your suitability for a role and tackle them head on so that they don’t jump to any conclusions. If your CV shows signs of job hopping, for example, then provide reasons for why you’ve done so ahead of being asked.

Three Top tips for a winning personal statement

Have a strong opener

Outline any relevant work experience and how the skills you have gained could help you to be successful in this position.

Show how you can add value

What you could add to the company and how, using examples wherever possible.

Make it readable

Use 1.5 line spacing so it’s easier for the hiring manager to read and always make sure you read the finished statement out loud and then get someone to proof read it for you for spelling and grammar, as well as overall content.

This is your chance to really highlight who you are and why you are perfect for the role, so try and be as engaging as possible. Obviously, not everyone is a good writer, but if you can back up your case with evidence and examples of when you’ve done what you say you can do, you should be in with a good chance of securing an interview.

Three common job specification terms and what they mean

Forward thinking

A professional with a long-term perspective, who can think in terms of months or even years. Someone who can plan ahead, rather than reacting to the here and now and simply firefight.

Team player

This one is fairly obvious but it doesn’t only mean being able to work as a part of a team – it’s also about thinking of the good of the whole rather than the sum of the parts. Today’s businesses are increasingly encouragingly their staff to interact and work together to get the best possible results.

Agile

A more dynamic way of saying flexible. Responsibilities can change rapidly and often you may be asked to deal with more than one thing – it’s about multi-tasking in an efficient way and keeping all the balls in the air.